FIJI GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR PIDF FOR 2014

8th November, 2013, SUVA, FIJI: Today Prime Minister Bainimarama announced in his national budget address that the Fiji Government is providing FJD$1.5 million to the Pacific’s only South-South and highest participatory regional organization the Pacific Islands Development Forum. Speaking at the FRA Complex in Suva this morning the Prime Minister announced, “In August, Fiji hosted the inaugural Pacific Islands Development Forum. This new regional body will work to develop realistic solutions to the challenges of sustainable development in the Pacific.” “But unlike other regional groups, the PIDF gives representatives from civil society a seat at the table. We believe that by including the full diversity of perspective, expertise, and opinion, we will have the best chance of arriving at practical solutions.” “My fellow leaders and I agree that we do not want a lavish and expansive

“The PIDF Secretariat will be restrained and dignified. A serious place for serious work.” “The PIDF Secretariat will be funded initially by Fiji and staffed by representatives of government, civil society groups and business from the PIDF region. $1.5 million has been allocated for this purpose.” Meanwhile work on the PIDF Secretariat building is well underway at 56 Domain Road. The Secretariat will be housed at the former offices of the Film and Television Unit of the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications. END Click here to view Press Release.